We're off to Carfest next weekend and are camping newbies. Would anybody be kind enough to check my list?

[TheSkiingGardener]

I think I've gone through various checklists and hope I've thought of stuff we need. If you have any advice or comments they would be gratefully received. It's me, DH and DS (2.2) DH and I haven't camped since 1998, so I'm counting us as newbies, certainly with a toddler in tow

Tent
Tent pegs
Mallet
Peg extractor
Airbeds
Sleeping bags
Pillows
Camping chairs
Camping table
Windbreak
Power station and airpump
Torches and lanterns
Stuff to sleep in
Cooker
Gas bottle
Connection kit
Frying pan
Tongs or spatula
Kettle
Saucepan
Plates, cups, bowls, cutlery
Milk bottles and drinking bottles for DS
Chopping boards and knives
Can opener
Gas lighter for cooker
Tea and coffee
Salt and pepper
Travel mugs
Collapsible bowl
Washing up brush/liquid
Tea towel
First aid kit
Storage bags
Bin bags
Wellies
Waterproofs
Towels
Coats
Toys/games/crayons
Fire bucket
Batteries x lots
Water carriers
Suncream
Sun hats

Didn't notice you dh....sorry!!!!!

Your dh-he he -no offence meant.

No we were in A.

Oooh didnt know that ... how did you find that out? We were by the main stage till quite late on... what time?

What were the main camping fields like? Was everyone squashed in like sardines with no space to put tent guy ropes out? We're off to car Fest north a week on fri and was wondering whether it'd be similar.
We've just had a weekend in the lakes in our new tent and realised that we need a tarp/porch for the door to stop the rain pouring in off the tent door when open, and hoped there'll be enough space for one.

Can't wait.

How exciting flapjack. I can't comment as we were in greenfields. I did hear someone saying they had to pitch on quite a slope! Other than that hopefully someone will be along to advise.

We took a box of wine and two glasses in and drank whilst watching the music. Didn't even realise we were breaking the rules...

We left the campsite last night around ten and we never saw the fire and we were packing the car up so would have seen it. Must have been a bit later on.

We weren't breaking the rules. You could take alcohol for your own consumption.

We were in the main camping and there was room to pitch sizeable tents, but it was all haphazard and sometimes guy ropes had to cross. Not a problem as everyone was just so nice. The end of the fields did slope quite heavily which made it fun, DH's bed kept sliding into the end of the tent. If we'd realised and pitched crossways it wouldn't have been a problem, but you live and learn.

There was a sign up saying no alcohol to be taken on site but nobody seemed to get checked, I think it was more to give them an excuse to stop anyone taking silly amounts in.

The toilets, showers and campsite catering were pretty good, but the camping shop was a bit crap and expensive and ran out of milk. There was nowhere selling alcohol on the campsite either. All in all it was really relaxed and easy.

Hi
I too am going to Carfest North and have loved trawling through all these posts about what to take and what to expect etc. We at Team Brown are getting very excited, but are first time campers (since school days!!)
I love a bit of suprise but would love some tips for taking a 15 month old (and a 3 year and 8 year old). What did you do in the evenings re the live bands, did you watch or just listen from your tent?
Any other tips would be gratefully received...... I'm a tad nervous, can you tell!!

DH went off to see the live bands, I stayed in the tent with our 2 year old and listened to them from there. Could just about hear them enough to enjoy, but for Carfest North I'm thinking we'll take him in the pushchair and he can flake out when he's good and ready, there were lots of kids listening to the bands, with ear protection!

With all 3 kids you may want to take or hire a wagon, the they can flake out or be carried as necessary.

Actually, the biggest mistake we made was to think we could pop back to the tent if we needed anything. We could have done, but the show ground was HugE. On Saturday we got it very wrong whereas on Sunday we took everything we needed with us and then went back to the tent for tea.

Oh, and the other thing! The tent was pitched at least half a mile from the car with a big hill in the way. Travel light if you can! Or be realistic about what you are going to be glad you lugged that far.

Omg half a mile from the car. So glad we went greenfield as car was close and the very nice men who worked there helped us carry the bags!!! Well worth the £119 IMO

I would take the pushchair or get a trolley. Mine are a bit older but there is no way I would have gone to the tent whilst husband went to see the bands there were loads of kids listening to the bands. Mine didn't need their ear defenders for the music. But dd needed them as some of the cars were quite loud. We went early into grounds anout 9.30 and then went back to the tent around 3 had a rest - snacks and a bit of a chill and then wandered back around 5.30 with the chairs, glow sticks etc and then just chilled. Kids were very happy dancing and just soaking up the atmosphere. My youngest is 5 though so a bit easier. Although at 15 months she would have slept in the pushchair no problem.

I'm having a bit of a wobble. Am just awaiting confirmation from the organisers if there will be a trolley hire available at Carfest North. Mr Trolley's website is not listing it......... eeeek! Otherwise, we'll have a lot of too-ing and fro-ing with all our kit and kelter. I totally aim to travel light but Jeez, it's going to be tricky!

Excellent..... earphones, something else to add to the list!
Am getting an ickle bit excited (the trolley situation will sort itself!), just need to book fantabulous weather for the weekend and we'll be sorted!

To be fair, I was quite happy to go back to the tent with DS while DH went off to the bands. The volume at the tent suited me just fine, and I'm 3.5 months pregnant and get exhausted easily!

However, energy levels are on the up and could well be heading for the bands with Ds at CarFest North!

The e-mail I got from the organisers on the 10th of August says Mr Trolley will be there in the North, so you should be ok MrsAbiAbiB

I could only get tickets for carfest north on the saturday. Can anyone tell me whether to take chairs for the music part and if so is it safe to leave them somewhere while not in use?

Chairs are nice but not essential and I think you would have to carry them round.